Politics 101 Malaysia

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has rejected a proposal by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to use Petronas money to construct the second bridge across the Penang channel. –mkini

Camera & Editing: Mohd Kamal Ishak

“Perhaps, power had gone to our heads after leading Penang for 39 years. We have not done enough in our own approach and attitude,” said acting party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Speaking to the press after a closed-door meeting with 1,500 central delegates, Koh was merciless in analysing Gerakan’s defeat in Penang, and its similarly disastrous performance nationwide where it won only two parliamentary and four state seats.

Koh blamed the dismal performance on its leaders losing touch with the grassroots as well as “arrogance of power” in Barisan Nasional.

He said due to their busy schedule as government officials, the needs of the rakyat were neglected. ”Continued”

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng joined some 500 Catholics at a Good Friday Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Island Park here.

He arrived quietly around noon together with the big crowd and joined them in prayers and singing of hymns for about 90 minutes, reports The Star.

When approached by newsmen later, Lim said:

“I am here alone,” said Lim.

“I just wanted to join the ceremony and out of respect to the ceremony, I will not comment or talk on any issue here. ”Continued”

by Regina William, sun2surf, Mar 21.

He could have lived comfortably and with maximum security at Rumah Tetamu on Macalister Road, the official residence of the chief minister.

However, told it would cost the state government at least RM300,000 to repair it and make it fit for a VIP, Lim Guan Eng decided to forgo the idea, bearing in mind that he had asked Penangites to join him in an austerity drive, which is the hallmark of the DAP-PKR state government.

He told theSun in a phone interview he would rather spend the money for a better cause.

“I found out that if I were to move into Rumah Tetamu, the leaking roof problem will have to be repaired at a cost of at least RM300,000, or even more for other works. The police also wanted me to move in for security reasons, so that I will be safe. ”Continued”